Friday, April 7 : Salvian of Marseilles

God’s love for us is far greater than that of a father. The words of our Savior in the Gospel prove it: «God so loved the world that he gave his only Son» for the life of the world (Jn 3,16). And the apostle Paul also says: «God did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all. How will he not also give us everything else along with him?» (Rm 8,32). This is why God loves us even more than a father his son. Obviously God must care for us beyond any fatherly affection, he who did not spare his Son for our sakes – and what a Son! This righteous Son, this only Son, this Son who is God. What more could one say? Yes! It was for our sakes, that is to say for evildoers, for the guilty, that he did not spare him… Therefore the apostle Paul, to indicate, to a certain extent, the greatness of God’s mercy, expresses himself as follows: «While we were still helpless Christ died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person» (Rm 5,6-7). Unquestionably, with this passage alone, he shows us the love of God. For if we would scarcely die for someone very godly, Christ has proved how much more superior he is by dying for us, ungodly as we are. But why has our Lord acted like this? The apostle Paul at once teaches us with what follows: «God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more, then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath?» (vv.8-9). He gives as proof that he died for the ungodly: a blessing of greater worth when granted to the unworthy… For if he had granted it to saints and worthy people he would not have shown himself to be one who gives what ought not to be bestowed, but would have been revealed as one who only renders what is due. How shall we repay him for these things?

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team